Sunday, September 16, 2007

Standing up for public transport

The Campaign for Better Transport is an independent organisation that, well campaigns for better transport in the Auckland region. In particular, they campaign for sustainable transport solutions, including better public transport, integrated transport linkages, and more intelligent roading design.

Recently, CBT scored a big success in pushing to get the Onehunga rail track re-opened. A current campaign is to push for a rail link to Auckland International Airport.

CBT's recent member newsletter offers some thoughts on the upcoming local elections, and makes some positive comments about a number of candidates who are either with City Vision, or have strong links with City Vision:

On Mike Lee (ARC Chair and Regional People candidate for ARC):

"Current ARC Chair Mike Lee was instrumental in getting the Onehunga branch line included in Ontrack’s programme of work, and has had a long involvement in our campaign to extend rail to the airport and beyond."

On Graeme Easte (Western Bays Community Baord Chair and City Vision Council candidate):

"We wish CBT spokesperson Graeme Easte all the best in his bid for election to Auckland City Council. I’ve always been able to rely on Graeme to provide level-headed, thoughtful replies to questions from the media, and I’m sure that he will bring the same insight to the table at the Auckland City Council."

On Maire Leadbeater (Regional People candidate for ARC):

"Finally, founding CBT member Maire Leadbeater is also contesting one of four seats available in the Auckland constituency of the ARC. Maire is an experienced former ARC and Auckland City councillor and has always been a strong advocate for better transport in the Auckland region."

City Vision's full transport policy is available here.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"The Campaign for Better Transport is an independent organisation"

"Finally, founding CBT member Maire Leadbeater"

Yeah, real independent!

Michael Wood said...

Sorry, but not sure how someone being involved in a community organisation, and then going on to become involved in politics fatally undermines the independence of the original organisation?

If this was the case then no organisation from Federated Farmers, to the CTU, to Business New Zealand, or the Friends of Oakley Creek could call themsleves independent!

Would you rather our politicians had no involvement in community organisations at all and lived in an ivory tower somewhere?